David Lloyd Tennis Courts and Coaching Explained

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David Muller
Written by David Muller | Gym Instructor, Personal Trainer & Fitness Writer. Full bio and credentials

David Lloyd tennis coverage varies more between clubs than almost any other facility on this site, court numbers range from a handful to over a dozen, and coaching prices reported by real members span nearly £40 an hour depending on club and coach level.

This guide covers exactly how court booking works, what coaching actually costs, which clubs are genuinely strongest for tennis, and whether guests can play at all.

Does David Lloyd Membership Include Tennis?

Yes, tennis court access is included as standard across the network, it isn’t a paid add-on the way personal training or lessons are. What varies is court availability and quality by club, not whether tennis is included at all.

Court access is included Court access is covered under standard membership, with no separate tennis-specific fee for using the courts themselves.
Coaching costs extra Private coaching and organised tennis lessons are booked and paid for separately, on top of your membership.
Court surfaces vary by club Different clubs offer different court surfaces, with carpet, hard and clay courts all found across the network depending on the site.
Rackets aren’t supplied everywhere Racquet provision varies between clubs. Some sites supply rackets, while others expect members to bring their own, so check with your specific club before arriving without one.
Tennis member checking court availability before a club session
Court availability and booking are managed through the David Lloyd app, with members typically needing another player before confirming a court.

How to Book a Tennis Court at David Lloyd

Booking runs entirely through the David Lloyd app rather than by phone or in person, and there’s one limitation that catches new members out consistently.

You cannot book a court solo A court booking requires a second confirmed player. If nobody accepts, the booking automatically cancels. For solo practice such as serving or drilling, members report using a court that is free in the app on the day without making a formal booking.
There’s also a workaround some members use for guaranteed solo court time: make a provisional booking via the app without a second player, then ask reception to add a guest as the second player rather than waiting for another member to accept.
Bookings use fixed start times Court bookings run at set times, usually on the hour or half hour, rather than starting whenever you arrive.
Scan in before your session Scan in at the club as normal before your booked slot, then go directly to your numbered court. You generally don’t need to check in again at reception specifically for tennis.
Wait for the current point to finish If a court is occupied when your booking starts, standard etiquette is to wait until the current point finishes rather than interrupting play. Most players will already be wrapping up when your slot begins.
Check outdoor courts when the weather is good Outdoor courts can be quieter than indoor courts during good weather, as players and organised sessions often move outside. It’s worth checking outdoor availability if the indoor courts appear fully booked.

Late Arrivals and No-Show Courts

What happens when a booked court sits empty is a common source of confusion, and it comes down to official and local club policy rather than something members should enforce themselves.

Official policy allows release after 10 minutes David Lloyd’s UK booking policy states a court may be released for other members’ use once it’s sat empty for 10 minutes past the booking start time.
Local clubs can set a stricter window Some clubs apply a longer grace period, such as 15 minutes, at the discretion of the on-site racquets team rather than as a fixed network-wide rule.
Release is a staff decision, not a member one “May be released” means the racquets team decides whether to act, so the right approach if a court sits empty past the grace period is to ask a member of staff to release it rather than moving another player off yourself.
Bookings are visible in the app If there’s any dispute over who has a court, checking the booking details in the David Lloyd app settles it quickly, since exact times and court numbers are shown there.
Repeated no-shows can carry a strike Some clubs operate a strike system for members who book a court and don’t turn up, though the exact policy varies by club.
Tennis player on a well-maintained club court with indoor and outdoor tennis facilities
Tennis facilities can differ significantly between clubs, particularly in court numbers, surfaces and indoor or outdoor options.

Which David Lloyd Clubs Have the Best Tennis Facilities?

Court numbers vary dramatically by club, some sites are genuinely built around tennis, others treat it as one facility among many. Real member-reported figures for clubs with a strong tennis reputation:

Club Indoor Courts Outdoor Courts Notes
Heston 5 8 The original David Lloyd club, 13 courts total.
Raynes Park 12 7 Reportedly used by touring pros practising during Wimbledon.
Renfrew 10 6 Strong tennis community, with member-reported good coaching availability.
Long Ashton 12 5 Frequently cited for strong coaching and session availability.

These figures come from real member reports rather than official David Lloyd publications, treat them as a strong indicator rather than a guaranteed current count, court numbers can change with refurbishment. If tennis is a genuine priority rather than a nice-to-have, it’s worth asking your shortlisted club directly for its exact court count and typical peak-time availability before joining.

Tennis coach giving individual technique guidance to an adult player
David Lloyd offers individual and group tennis coaching, with session formats and prices varying between clubs and coaches.

How Much Does David Lloyd Tennis Coaching Cost?

This is the area with the widest real variation of anything covered in this guide, and knowing the range before you’re quoted a price is genuinely useful.

Typical coaching costs £36-50 per hour This is the range most members across multiple clubs describe as a normal rate for standard tennis coaching.
Higher-level coaches can charge £70-75 per hour Level 4 qualified coaches, including some with former ATP or WTA experience, can charge around £70-75 per hour. These sessions are generally aimed at competitive or high-level players rather than beginners. The LTA’s official coach qualification levels explain what separates a Level 4 coach from lower levels, which is worth a look if you want to understand exactly what you’re paying extra for.
Higher rates may not suit beginners One member specifically described £75 per hour as excessive for anything below tournament-level play, suggesting a lower-qualified coach or group sessions instead for beginner and improver players.
Splitting a lesson can reduce the cost Sharing a private lesson with a friend and splitting the fee is a common approach mentioned by members, particularly when booking at the higher end of the price range.
Group classes are usually cheaper Group classes typically cost less than private coaching, although popular sessions can book up quickly. It’s worth checking availability before ruling out private lessons based on price alone.

The honest takeaway: if you’re quoted anything near £75/hour as a beginner or improver, it’s worth asking whether a lower-qualified coach or a group session is available first, several members specifically regretted not asking.

David Lloyd member welcoming a guest before playing tennis together
Guest tennis access can vary by club, with members typically accompanying guests and local restrictions or fees potentially applying.

Can Guests Play Tennis at David Lloyd?

Yes, under most standard guest pass arrangements, though the exact terms depend on your own membership type.

Racquet sports are included A standard guest pass includes racquet sports facilities, including tennis. Spa facilities are typically excluded from guest passes.
Platinum members generally get one free pass Platinum members generally receive one free guest pass per month through the David Lloyd app.
Additional guest passes are paid Outside the free monthly allowance, guest passes are paid. The cost varies by club rather than being fixed across the network.
Check your exact guest pass allowance Confirm your specific membership’s guest pass terms directly with your club, since allowances and costs can differ by membership type and location.

David Lloyd Tennis FAQs

Does David Lloyd membership include tennis?

Yes, court access is included in standard membership at no extra cost. Coaching and organised lessons are booked and paid for separately from membership.

Can you book a David Lloyd tennis court on your own?

No, court bookings require a confirmed second player, or the booking auto-cancels. For solo practice, most members simply use an unbooked court found free in the app rather than trying to book alone.

How much does David Lloyd tennis coaching cost?

Typically £36-50 an hour for standard coaching, rising to £70-75 an hour for Level 4 qualified coaches aimed at competitive players. Splitting lessons with a friend is a common way members reduce the cost.

Can guests play tennis at David Lloyd?

Yes, a standard guest pass covers racquet sports including tennis. Platinum members typically get one free guest pass monthly, otherwise guest passes are paid and priced per club.

Which David Lloyd club has the most tennis courts?

Based on real member reports, Raynes Park and Long Ashton both report 12 indoor courts, with Heston (the original DL club) at 13 courts total. Exact figures can change with refurbishment, confirm directly with your shortlisted club.

Does David Lloyd offer Cardio Tennis?

Cardio Tennis is a group class format combining tennis drills with a cardio workout, and it’s a common part of the timetable at many David Lloyd clubs alongside standard coaching. Availability depends on your specific club’s class schedule, so check your local timetable to confirm it’s offered where you are.

David Lloyd Tennis: What to Check Before You Join

Tennis access itself is standard everywhere, but court count, coaching quality, and typical availability genuinely vary enough between clubs to be worth checking before you commit, especially if tennis is a real priority rather than an occasional extra. Ask your shortlisted club for its exact court numbers and coaching rates directly, the range across real member reports is wide enough that assuming the network average applies to your specific club isn’t reliable.

If padel’s more your interest than traditional tennis, that’s covered in its own dedicated guide given how differently the two sports are booked and priced at David Lloyd. For everything else about shared facility etiquette, our lane swimming etiquette guide covers the same considerate-use principles that apply just as much on the courts as in the pool.

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